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Tuesday Book Review: “17 Hours: Tracking Down Our Runaway”

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.
When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review:

17 hours diane bassett

17 Hours: Tracking Down Our Runaway

by Diane M. Bassett

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781478774891

Synopsis*:

Don’t wait until you need it to read it! No family is immune to the dangers of sex trafficking, as our family discovered on May 25th, 2015 when our daughter Sam jumped from her second-story window and disappeared into the dark. As we scrambled over the next 17 hours to discover what had led to her jumping, who was involved, where she was, and what we needed to do after finding her; we discovered a dark world operating in local parks, drawing in girls and putting them in a no-win position, until jumping out the window seems the best option for survival. Join us on our journey to save Sam in just 17 hours. Includes: Quick Tip Guide for anyone helping to locate a runaway child. Resources for those with runaway children.

 * courtesy of Amazon.com

Featured Review: “FEED MIND, IMAGINATION AND SPIRIT”

This True Story is getting a lot of attention because of the “eminent threat” all young women must be aware of in the world we live in today. As the book cover states: “No family is immune to the dangers of sex trafficking.” The author, Diane Bassett, is one of many Moms whose beautiful daughter had been drawn into a dark world operating in local parks, a world that pushes naive girls into such no-win positions. Bassett’s story details their 17-hour journey to save their daughter’s life. The book also places a Tip Guide in the hands of every reader with resources that will help locate a runaway child.

This non-fiction genre of True Stories holds many teachable-moments for writers of every genre.

– Review by Royalene Doyle of Self Publishing Advisor

You will not put this down once you start. It’s a quick, fast-paced, absorbing true story about a parent’s worst nightmare-your child runs away and goes missing. Diane and Gary’s determination, smarts and fierce love for their daughter pulls you into this harrowing experience. The photos she has placed throughout the book are amazing – helping you see why this beautiful young girl had so many people across the country trying to help her parents find her. A story of innocence lost, the horror that can happen to anyone and what a parent/friend/neighbor can do if this should happen to anyone you know, love and care about.

– reviewed by Barb Shillingford

My heart was in my throat while reading this book. I’ve always considered myself blessed with my children but realized that I was just lucky. We’re all the same, mother’s, children, fathers and family, here by the grace of God. Life is so fragile and so special, love is all that matters in the end. Well done Diane, thank you for sharing your deepest pain in hopes that one more child will be saved.

– reviewed by Sheryl Brown

 wrote it, so reviewing it would be pointless… Of course I love it! What I want to express is that this book is not a pretty story; its raw, it’s real, and it’s an over-the-shoulder kind of approach to bringing you along for our journey to save Sam from sex traffickers in just 17 hours. We weren’t and aren’t perfect parents, but we used some pretty unique tricks to get her to safety in less than a day, and they are listed throughout the book. You can learn more at the Facebook.com/17hoursbook page, or at my own website dianembassett.com.

– reviewed by Diane Geister

 

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Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space!

Self Publishing Advisor

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news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Uncategorized

Self-Publishing News: 12.11.2017 – The Interviews!

December banner with fir branches.

And now for the news!

Some highlights from this month in the world of self-publishing, specifically interviews with or articles written by self-publishing authors and experts!

Wait–what? A colonoscopy? We don’t normally advertise those in our book titles. And yet, on the other hand, it did grab our attention. So … well done, David Gilmore. Well done. Gilmore’s book, How I Went to Asia for a Colonoscopy and Stayed for Love: A Memoir of Mischief and Romance, serves as the locus for this article by a different David–David Henry Sterry, and the eponymous “Book Doctors”–for HuffPost. This interview tracks everything from how Gilmore got his start, which influential works have inspired him through the years, his “long and winding” path to authorship and publication, his recommendations and tips for self-publishing, and some of the challenges he faced while gathering the information and stories collected in his book. (There really was a colonoscopy in Thailand, which reported came off rather well and significantly more affordably than it would have Stateside.) This interview is substantial, comedic, sincere, and thoroughly entertaining. We highly recommend you read the full piece at the link!

The Daily Telegraph doesn’t always dive deep into profiling authors, but this week we landed a gem in Daniel Stringer’s piece on Matthew Reilly, one of Australia’s most beloved authors (with a thoroughly American list of inspirations: Tom Clancy and John Grisham top the list, with William Golding coming in at the tail end as a token British mention). He found inspiration on his daily commute in the kind of mass-market fiction which was then and remains now such potent material for thought and action; but while the authors he read are all household names now, he himself struggled to find an audience at first. Reilly self-published his first book after having been rejected by traditional publishers, whose response to his manuscript he describes as “soul-crushing.” Well, he may not be catching the bus so often these days, but he is still publishing, with more than fifteen books already on the shelves and many more to come. You can read the full article on the Daily Telegraph website.

Rose Bingham is everything you need to cheer you up on this dreary winter Monday morning (we’re assuming it’s dreary everywhere since it’s dreary here, which is rather convenient, and indefensible of course). This enterprising eighty-year-old from Wisconsin has done something magnificent and significant: she’s published her memoirs. One might argue that hers is an act of reversal; in chronicling the disappearance of her own mother and her experience in an orphanage, her determination to keep track of her siblings, and what came after. Bingham’s memoirs, published under the title Buy the Little One a Dolly, are not self-published. Why? The answer is telling. The price, Bingham reports, was “quite hefty.” We know this is not an uncommon take on self-publishing in the year 2017–that the confusion of vanity presses with genuine self-publishing companies has done the exact opposite of what self-publishers set out to do (democratize the publishing process). Bingham’s story is inspiring and uplifting on so many levels, but that telling little note–that gentle aside from a woman who ought to have been able to pursue whatever path to publication she wanted–strikes a discordant chord. A reminder to stick to our principles.

spa-news

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry.This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Monday to find out the hottest news. If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

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Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Conversations: 12/8/2017

‘TIS THE SEASON TO SET THE STEEL OUTRIGGER

Have you ever had the feeling, just as you’re finishing a novel, that the whole premise is collapsing? Be assured you are not the first writer to experience this, nor will you be the last. I firmly believe that this excruciating moment in every author’s life is qusteel outriggerite simply just part of the process of creating an excellent novel. So, how can we avoid that moment? Here we are in the 2nd week of December and the holiday activities are increasing. However, I’ve set aside two days (well, a day and a half) prepare the foundation for my work in the coming year. I call it my scaffolding agenda.

I’ve been listening to so many ideas floating in my head that will eventually fit into my actual story. But it’s the premise—the very core concept (or “take-away”) that I hope my Readers will discover, that will be my basis and to secure that solid foundation I must ask myself two important questions.

  • WHY do I want to write this story?
  • Why will Readers buy this book?

My answers will lead to the Theme (premise) of the story which I’ve learned to write out in one sentence (even if it’s a paragraph long) and post it on the wall next to my desk. Then, later, I re-write that Theme Statement from the perspective of each of my characters and, again, tape those to the wall. These two steps keep me grounded throughout every stage of writing the novel.

Now, back to the scaffolding illustration. If you’ve ever noticed the scaffolding beside new buildings, or the steelwork of a bridge you’ve probably seen the individual triangle shapes utilized throughout. From the base of scaffolds (called steel outriggers), to the steel supports in raised bridges, these triangle shapes have been selected because of their extreme strength due to the rigidity of its sides which allows them to transfer force more evenly through their sides—or “balance” the pressure.

I don’t believe it is a coincidence that Plot Outlines are often illustrated as triangles because their foundation begins with a specific character or problem (with the world) that must be resolved. Upon the shoulders of this character and the challenge he/she faces rests every other element of the story.

plot diagram

Here are the quick and easy steps I’m taking to lay the foundation for the new novel I’ll start—and finish—in 2018.

  • When I answered the “Why do I want to write this story?” question I discovered that one rather unusual character has been telling me his story—so he will be my main character and the basis for this story’s foundation. My goal during this week will be:
    • Discover his name.
    • Describe his general physical appearance/condition,
    • Write one short paragraph about his back-story.
  • Answering the question, “Why will Readers buy this book?” provided me with the problem this character faces—which will resonate with a large portion of the Reading world. My additional task for this week is to: r
    • Do a quick Internet search to learn more about this challenge in people’s lives and…
    • Start a list of the resources I’ve discovered.

Accomplishing these tasks will, I know, tweak my need to write until sunrise. However, I will remind myself that I have permission to rest—more than I work—and relax (and reconnect) with my family and friends. THIS is the Season to regenerate and let Love and Laughter Ring! ⚓︎

Royalene

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.
Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena. This is Royalene’s last month writing for Self Publishing Advisor.
elizabeth speaks, Holidays, in your corner, Uncategorized

In Your Corner: A Soulful Christmas

happy holidays

This is the time of the year when there’s snow on the roads in my part of the world, the days are short and dark by five in the evening, and everyone’s going a bit stir crazy.  Tensions are at a fever pitch, but so too is that special brand of optimistic cheerfulness which washes over and around the people I care about.  Some people may not celebrate the religious aspect of the Christmas holidays, but you can’t help but love some of the perks they bring with them: hot cocoa and cider to drink, quilts and kittens and friendships to keep us warm, generosity to celebrate in giving and receiving.

It seems almost callow, perhaps, to talk about marketing in the midst of all this good-feeling.  What does the commercial machine have to do with empathy and generosity?

Here’s the thing: What’s good for you as an author and what’s good for your relationships is also good for business.  

I’m not just talking about the “family-friendly” or “family-owned” propaganda issued by big businesses like Starbucks or Chipotle or REI; I’m talking about your relationships on a personal level, and starting from the ground up.  The real revolution in how we do business has to start with actual human connection rather than the cold and soulless opportunism that we’ve been taught is the marker of successful companies and their high-level officials.

So this Christmas, I’m not going to encourage you to break out a couple of new strategies for self-promotion success for several reasons–including the fact that we’ve already done so in past Christmases: here, here, and here––but rather to refocus on what you consider the most valuable and worthwhile aspects of your relationships.  I guarantee you this: if you put your friendships and your loved ones first, the rest will fall into place.  Friends want to hear about what each other do and love and are working on, and when your relationships are in tune you’ll know instinctively when it’s a good and natural and 100% organic moment to do so.

Who you are as a writer fits within a broader framework of who you are in connection to the other people in your life.  Authenticity isn’t just nice; it’s imperative.  It just makes sense that what’s good for your relationships would be good for spreading the word about your book, and the ingredients for a joyful and happy holiday season would also be the perfect recipe for a productive time for you as a self-publishing author!

You are not alone. ♣︎

Elizabeth

ABOUT ELIZABETH JAVOR: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Elizabeth Javor works as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Outskirts Press. The Sales and Marketing departments are composed of knowledgeable publishing consultants, customer service reps and book marketing specialists; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Elizabeth Javor can put you on the right path.
Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

Tuesday Book Review: “When Love Never Ends”

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.
When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review:

when love never ends j alec keaton

When Love Never Ends

by J. Alec Keaton

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781478770626

Synopsis*:

When Love Never Ends is the love story of Sam and Sara, once separated, then reunited, then lost to each other again … unless Sam can find a way to change their destiny. As with many young couples, Sam and Sara meet at a dance, start dating, and soon fall in love. Sam is a college man; Sara only a junior in high school-but for Sam, the age difference doesn’t matter. Sara is the girl of his dreams. He wants to be with her, and she with him, and they look forward to a future together. Plans for that happy future, however, are squashed when Sara’s bigoted father, Ralph Henderson, finds out about Sam’s mixed Japanese-Caucasian heritage. Henderson refuses to allow his daughter to date a “breed,” and devises a cruel scheme to separate them for good. Years later, Sara seeks legal help, and the lawyer she contacts is Sam, now a partner in a prestigious law firm. Though she’s in a difficult personal situation, Sara’s feelings for Sam are easily rekindled, as are his feelings for her. Just when it looks like they will be able to have a future together after all, catastrophe occurs.

After months of crippling grief and depression, Sam develops an interest in his friend’s pet project dealing with time travel. Though Sam once scoffed at the idea, the improbable now seems his only hope: to travel back in time and change the order of events-to change their destiny. When Love Never Ends is a rich saga of a love that endures beyond all bounds. J. Alec Keaton’s evocative images, true-to-life characters, and clever plot twists are exactly on point. He deftly maneuvers the complex concept of time travel in a manner that is both satisfying and convincing. As his main character comes to realize, “Time goes on forever, and life is just a fleeting moment.”

 * courtesy of Amazon.com

Featured Review: A Book & A Dish

AVOCADO BREAD
(A J. Alec Keaton Favorite)

3 eggs
1 cup Imperial margarine (microwave to soften)
½ cup of nuts (optional)
1 cup diced avocado
2 cups flour
1 ½ cups of sugar
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ cup allspice

Soften margarine and mix with sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, beat well. Add dry ingredients, nuts and avocado. Spray 3 loaf pans with PAM and pour mixture evenly.  Bake at 350 in oven for 45 minutes. (the time may vary slightly depending on the exact temperature of your oven)

Double recipe to make 5 loaves.

 

Review

Sam never uttered the words “I love you” to any woman with whom he had a sexual relationship.  He had said those three words only to Sara, who was the love of his life. Threatened and intimidated by her father, Sam had walked away from her a long time ago. That happened in 1966 and now, thirteen years later, he was still in love with her.  Sam tried not to think of her, but in the deepest reaches of his heart, he could never forget her.  A man never forgets his first love.  Sam’s ultimate desire was to correct the one mistake he’d made long ago.  His friend, Dr. Jeremiah Ebenezer Pike, always talked about the possibility of time travel.  If it was possible to travel back in time, then I’d correct the mistake I made in leaving Sara, Sam thought.

It was only since the loss of his wife four years ago that Ebb had been obsessed with the concept of time travel.  On a Wednesday, Sam met Ebb for dinner.  “Ebb, tell me more about your project of time travel.”

Sara’s father was a bit of a bigot.  When he found out that Sam was part Japanese he forbid Sam to see Sara.  With there being a 5 year age difference he threatened Sam with statutory rape, along with threats regarding Sam’s parents as well as Sara herself if he didn’t break it off with her immediately without allowing her to know that her father had intervened.  Sam had always wanted to be an attorney and this dream would be destroyed if he went to jail. He also worried about what would happen to his parents if his dad lost his job and how Sara would thrive with her father controlling her every move.  He had no choice but to break it off, hurting both of them more than either could imagine.

Sam saw his dream and became a graduate of Harvard University.  He met Elliot Benson who was the controlling partner in an exclusive law firm that represented some of the more wealthy clients in Seattle.  Benson took an immediate liking to Sam and offered him a position within the firm.  Sam was impressed but had committed to work for Senator Kennedy in Washington for four or five years.  After completing this he would return to Seattle and if Benson still wanted him he was his.

After returning to Seattle, Sam’s life was still incomplete.  The missing element was Sara so when she walked into his office one day asking if he would represent her in her divorce against an abusive husband, Sam felt the missing pieces of his life coming back together.  Until……

This book is so beautifully filled with love and commitment.  It also holds hate and disappointments.  But then it holds the possibility of everything being corrected and happiness falling upon everyone within Sam and Sara’s lives.  This was a truly enjoyable book with a surprise around every corner.

– Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds

“When Love Never Ends” is a wonderful portrayal of young first love. In the summer of 1965, Sara Henderson, a junior in high school, attends a college dance with her best friend Becky.and her sister Rose. At the dance, she meets her “Prince Charming”, Sam Stephens, a senior and a quarterback.at the college. For Sara, Sam is all that a girl could ever want in a man, handsome, tall, charismatic, and intelligent. Sam and Sara date throughout the summer and fall madly in love.

Sara’s father, Ralph Henderson, upon meeting Sam immediately dislikes Sam, because he looked a half breed. He had his buddy, Detective Frank Sorenson to investigate Sam. Ralph and Frank are members of the Mountaineer Club, consisting of men with similar racist & bigoted views. Upon learning that Sam is half Japanese and half Caucasian, they derive a scheme so Sam would never see his daughter Sara again.

Years later, Sam graduates from Harvard Law School and becomes successful lawyer/partner with the top law firm in Seattle but he never stopped loving Sara, One day, she walks into his office seeking his council and the love that they had for each other is rekindled, but tragedy does not elude them.

The author, J.Alec Keaton, superbly writes about young love and what their life could have been if we could travel back in time and change the course of action in our lives. He reminds us that wrong decisions we make today can adversely affect our future. It is book of fantasy of “What ifs”.

– reviewed by Donald M. Hashiguchi

“When Love Never Ends” is a very touching love story which combines some sad, hurtful events with racial overtones that tug your heart. Keaton portrays the intense power of first (and forbidden) young love with skill and sensitivity, but also with some intense and tantalizing erotica that makes the pages turn fast and furious.

– reviewed by Joanne

A story of love and caring. Sam is able to travel back in time with the help of his friend Ebb and right the wrongs of the past so that he might live a happier life. He also changes the past for Ebb so that they both share happiness in their future.

– reviewed by Julia Miyakawa

Video Book Review:

 

tuesday book review

Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space!

Self Publishing Advisor

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